Episode 156

Frank Viola, Bryan Hoch

Published on: 10th July, 2023

In this exciting episode of the radio show, host Bill Donohue brings on two esteemed guests to delve into the world of baseball. The episode begins with a captivating conversation with former New York Mets pitcher, Frank Viola, who achieved great success during his career. Viola, known for his exceptional performance in the 1987 World Series, where he was crowned the Most Valuable Player, as well as his remarkable achievement of winning the American League Cy Young Award in 1988, shares fascinating insights and stories from his illustrious career.

As Bill Donohue engages Viola in conversation, listeners are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a professional baseball player. Viola discusses the challenges he faced, the strategies he employed on the field, and the memorable moments that defined his career. From his experiences playing in high-stakes games to the camaraderie he built with his teammates, Viola offers a captivating narrative that baseball enthusiasts and fans of the Mets alike will thoroughly enjoy.

In the show's second half, Bill Donohue welcomes Bryan Hoch, an expert on all things New York Yankees and a distinguished MLB reporter, to discuss his latest book, "62." Hoch's book, a captivating exploration of the storied history of the Yankees, promises to be a must-read for fans of the team and baseball aficionados in general.

During the conversation with Hoch, listeners gain valuable insights into the meticulous research and firsthand interviews that went into the creation of "62." The book delves into the rich history of the Yankees, chronicling their numerous accomplishments, legendary players, and unforgettable moments. Bill Donohue and Bryan Hoch explore some of the highlights and lesser-known stories from the book, offering listeners a taste of the captivating content within its pages.

Viola and Hoch provide a dynamic and comprehensive look at both the Mets and the Yankees, two iconic baseball teams that have left an indelible mark on the sport. Listeners are treated to a wealth of insider knowledge, personal anecdotes, and historical tidbits, making this episode a must-listen for any baseball fan.

As the episode draws to a close, Bill Donohue expresses gratitude to his guests, Frank Viola and Bryan Hoch, for their invaluable contributions to the show. With their remarkable insights and engaging storytelling, Viola and Hoch have truly brought the world of baseball to life, leaving listeners eagerly awaiting the next episode of this captivating radio show.

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About the Podcast

WGBB Sports Talk New York
Talking New York sports on Long Island's WGBB Radio.
Broadcasting LIVE Sunday nights at 8:00 PM on Long Island's WGBB Radio 95.5FM | 1240AM. We're talking NEW YORK SPORTS! The Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils and the New York metro-area college scene are all up for discussion.

Listen for our interviews with past and present professional New York athletes- as well as local sports writers, authors, broadcasters and others with something new, interesting and different to say about New York sports. Join our hosts live on the air by calling in on the WGBB studio hotline at (516) 623-1240.

The podcast includes a WGBB SPORTS TALK FLASHBACK bonus episode each week! Available ONLY to podcast subscribers, bonus episodes will consist of old sports talk shows and interviews with former pro New York athletes, all originally aired on WGBB. Don't miss out- Subscribe Today!

WGBB Sports Talk New York replaced the long running SPORTSTALK1240 on WGBB (2007-2020) in January 2021.

UPCOMING SHOWS
January 26th... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.

February 2nd... Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo host, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
February 9th... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
February 16th... Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo host, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
February 23rd... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.

March 2nd... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
March 9th... Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo host, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
March 16th... Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo host, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
March 23rd... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.
March 30th... Bill Donohue hosts, followed by TBD at 9:00pm.

About your hosts

Rob Kowal

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Rob is the Executive Producer of WGBB's Sports Talk New York. While he still gets behind the mic from time to time to host the show, Rob mostly works behind the scenes helping to book guests, maintain the website and promote the show on social media.

Bill Donohue

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Bill's first vivid recollection of sports revolves around the magical seasons of 1969 – when the Mets, Knicks and Jets all won championships – and Bobby Cox was playing 3B for the Yankees. A history buff and ports “purist,” he enjoys the comparison of the eras and discussing those contrasting viewpoints. Bill is a benefactor of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and enjoys visiting the hallowed shrine to our national pastime whenever possible.

Mike Trezza

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Mike is a veteran of the local sports media scene. He's done play-by-play work for football, basketball and lacrosse on local TV, radio and digital platforms, and hosted various talk shows since 1995. He also serves as the public address announcer for several local colleges and high schools. Mike teaches at Farmingdale State College and Suffolk Community College. Since January 2021 Mike has been hosting Spot on Sports with Mike Guidone.

Mike Guidone

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Mike is the girls' varsity basketball coach at Locust Valley High School. This past winter, his team broke the all-time Long Island consecutive victory record for girls' basketball, winning 54 straight over the course of 3 seasons. He also coaches boys' and girls' tennis. Mike is a teacher at Westbury High School. Since January 2021 Mike has been hosting Spot on Sports with Mike Trezza.

Andy Suekoff

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Andy is an in-game analyst for Stony Brook University Hockey, as well as an Ingest Coordinator for Encompass Digital Media in Stamford, CT. A graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, Andy was a play-by-play announcer for five NCAA Division I sports during his time as the school, and hosted a half hour weekly talk show, Bottom of the 6th. Andy is an avid fan of all the major sports, college football/basketball and MMA, specifically including the Yankees, Rangers, Jets and St. John’s.